(Newser)
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Aretha Franklin paid the $40,000 ticket price to attend Sarah Jessica Parker's Obama fundraiser last night, but left after just 20 minutes. That means she spent $2,000 per minute to be there, TMZ helpfully calculates. Apparently it was worth it, because she described the food ("chicken with a mustard sauce, diced tomatoes, and lots of relishes on the side of the plate") as "very tasty." In an entertaining response on Gawker, Caity Weaver wonders, "Do you think Sarah Jessica Parker fretted and fretted over the menu before convincing herself (incorrectly) that, since Obama probably eats fancy food all the time, what he'd really enjoy is her famous 'Chicken a la Mustard with a lot of relishes on the side'?"

The fundraiser, co-hosted by Anna Wintour, was attended by all sorts of other boldface names, Politico notes, including Meryl Streep and designer Michael Kors but not including SJP's husband Matthew Broderick, who was performing in a Broadway show, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Their son was there, however, and once interrupted the president with applause, leading Obama to joke, "He wanted to fire up the crowd." Another amusing story, per the New York Post: Wintour was apparently not happy with SJP's "shabby chic" furniture, and thus oversaw a total overhaul of her house before the fundraiser began. Daily Intel rounds up tweets describing the mayhem outside the fundraiser. (Read more Sarah Jessica Parker stories.)

There's no accounting for stupidity or lack of class. The hostess better inventory her good silverwear and jewelry box to make sure everything is there. Gotta pay those fast food tabs somehow. I hope the priveledge of being in the presence of Barrack Kardashian was worth the $40,000,... that's alot of Whoppers and fries.

HANKHILL

Jun 17, 2012 11:34 AM CDT

now if it were popeyes chicken than i would also attend, bo or not! fubo

el_polacko

Jun 16, 2012 2:05 AM CDT

aretha never wrote nor produced her music. singers do not make much money except by touring and she hasn't toured in decades. aretha was there, gratis, to meet the quota of having at least ONE famous black guest. there is no way she has 40k to drop on mustard chicken. heck, the woman had to be sued by burger king to pay the tab they had running for her in detroit.